Pros
Tonnes of customisation choices
Mature, refined design
Reassuringly heavy
Cons
Expensive
Accessories might be safer in case
What is the Xbox One Elite Controller?
The Xbox One Elite controller is presently on sale at Argos, that means you might save £20. Check out our Black Friday offers for extra financial savings, and get a deal on the Xbox One Elite Controller beneath:
When Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite Controller, with all its knobs, sticks and paddles, at E3 2015, all of us gasped, oohed and aahed. It’s fairly the murals, with its brushed metallic equipment and matte black delicate contact end.
And in actuality, the Elite Controller’s announcement didn’t come as a lot of a shock, seeing because the rise of eSports and aggressive gaming has been big.
The new Xbox One Elite Controller is a customisable gamepad that’s fairly the improve over the common Wireless Controller. It’s primarily aimed on the severely aggressive avid gamers, particularly those that are inclined to mod out their pads for the aggressive edge.
But with these customisation choices comes a steep worth – £129.99. So the query is, is the Xbox One Elite Controller value it?Related: Xbox One Elite Controller vs Regular Wireless Controller
Xbox One Elite Controller – Design
For your £130 funding, you’ll get a beautiful field of tips. Sliding the lid off the field presents you with the Elite Xbox One Controller in its fabric-covered clam-shell case, which protects it when not in use, but additionally acts as storage for all of the equipment.
By appears alone you might be forgiven for pondering it is a commonplace Xbox One controller with a lick of paint. But the little moulded rubber holder beneath belies its elite standing.
The Elite Xbox One Controller comes with a pair of D-Pads – one a metallic model of the common D-Pad, however the different a faceted metallic choice – and three analogue stick selections. For the analogue sticks you’re taking a look at the usual concave diamond grip choice, a taller model of those, and a domed set that sit between the 2 by way of top.
There are additionally two units of paddles that connect to the rear of the controller, and a protracted, braided micro-USB cable, which is a must have for these aggressive periods.
All of those sit throughout the moulded rubber holder with the concept that you would be able to retailer them securely when not in use, even when travelling round. In apply the spare analogue sticks and cross-style D-Pad all slot in securely, however the faceted D-Pad and the paddles come free very simply, rattling about within the case.Related: Xbox One vs PS4When I first picked up the Elite Controller what was instantly noticeable was the elevated weight. Due to its upgraded innards and new metallic attachments, the Elite Controller has gained some grams. Microsoft says that with all 4 paddles hooked up and the AA batteries inserted – there’s no Play and Charge pack included – the Elite Controller weights 348g (give or take 15g for the totally different attachment combos). That’s fairly the rise on the 280g common Wireless controller.
Although the load is initially very palpable, you shortly change into accustomed to the elevated mass. In truth, it’s reassuringly heavy. The mixture of the brand new matte rubber end and the diamonised rubber grip on the underside, you’re taking a look at a controller that moulds into your arms and stays there – no matter how sweaty your arms get throughout prolonged gaming periods.
You get so conversant in the load and really feel of the Elite Controller, that the common one makes feels low cost, tough and completely inferior. Microsoft has ensured that by kitting the Elite Controller out with a mature, understated design. The vibrant face buttons and plastic end have been swapped out for a monochrome color scheme and metallic touches that makes the Elite seem like a premium product.Related: Xbox One vs Xbox 360The triggers, D-Pads and analogue sticks are all now constituted of metallic for sturdiness; whereas the precise analogue stick sockets have been enhanced with a bolstered ring to ensure they last more.
Both the D-Pad and analogue sticks are interchangeable, with the present choice hooked up by magnets. While you’re enjoying, they really feel secure and safe, however if you wish to change them out for a brand new model, it’s fast and easy to do.
The solely subject with the magnetic attachments that I had was with the rear paddles. The Elite Controller can help as much as 4 rear paddles, which may operate as a replica of any of the buttons on the pad you need. Or, you may go with out them completely: the make-up of the Elite Controller is as much as you.
But these will be simply caught and dislodged as you decide up the controller. It’s a selected ache at first, while you’re getting used to have these additional appendages, however you’ll get used to it will definitely.
I’m simply fearful what would occur should you misplaced one among these equipment, because it doesn’t appear to be Microsoft will allow you to to interchange them individually at this stage.Related: Best Xbox One Games 2015Across the again of the Elite Controller above the slots for these paddles is a inexperienced change on both facet. These are related to the brand new and improved Hair-Trigger Locks on the triggers. If you push the inexperienced switches down (they usually function independently), they’ll bodily restrict the journey of every set off. In apply meaning you’ll have the ability to purpose and reload sooner in taking pictures video games, or no matter you employ your triggers for. That’s going to be an enormous boon for skilled gamers the place each second counts.Other enhancements on the Elite Controller embody a typical 3.5mm headphone jack on the base quite than the irritating proprietary port on the common controller. Next to that may be a legacy connection for objective constructed headsets.
You’ll additionally discover that the Xbox One Elite Controller has some quite beautiful shoulder buttons. Gone are the overly-loud clicky bumpers of the unique controller, with the Elite as an alternative providing a quieter, extra even response wherever you press them.Related: Xbox One HDD Upgrade – How to improve your Xbox One storage
Xbox One Elite Controller – Xbox Accessories App
But what takes this enhanced Elite Controller even additional is the Xbox Accessories app. Available on Windows 10 and Xbox One, the Xbox Accessories app makes positive that the customisation choices don’t cease with the {hardware}.
The app offers you the choice to rebind the performance of each button, set off and bumper on the Elite Controller (apart from the menu and choices buttons). You now have full management over how your gamepad works, with out being confined to customisation on a game-by-game foundation should you don’t wish to be.
The Xbox One Elite Controller can retailer two button mapping configurations without delay. The controller permits you to change between them utilizing the slider beneath the choices and menu buttons. You can retailer much more configurations within the Xbox Accessories app and cargo them onto the controller as and while you want them.There are a number of pre-made choices within the app too, for video games equivalent to Halo 5, the Gear of War: Ultimate Collection, new racer Forza 6 and even the traditional Sunset Overdrive. Microsoft guarantees that there are a tonne extra en-route too.
They’re nice for these amongst us who discover the considered remapping each single button completely daunting – and belief me I did at first.
The app additionally goes past fundamental button-mapping too. There’s particular person changes for analogue stick sensitivity that handle the space the sticks must journey earlier than they react as in-game actions. These embody: delay (gradual begin), aggressive (quick begin), on the spot, easy and default.
You can even modify the sensitivity and useless zone of the triggers. The app even permits you to flip down the haptic suggestions and modify the brightness of the Xbox mild. For these amongst you that like issues a sure approach, the Elite Controller additionally permits you to swap the sticks over, completely invert the correct or left stick’s Y-axis or swap the triggers round.Related: Xbox One backwards compatibility – Can I play Xbox 360 video games on my Xbox One?
Xbox One Elite Controller – Performance
In apply, for me the customisation began slowly. I started by including two paddles for Rise of the Tomb Raider – one for sprinting and the opposite to initialise the Survival Sense.
But the extra I used the Elite Controller throughout various video games, the extra time I spent tweaking and analysing my button mapping.
Take Forza 6 for instance – a sport the place the again paddles actually come into their very own. Suddenly you’ve received the handbook automobile controls on the press of a finger, which is particularly useful as a result of I don’t actually wish to fork out for a racing wheel that’ll muddle up my house. Instead, I’ve received the Elite Controller to offer me with extra of an genuine racing expertise, whereas nonetheless offering me with a wonderful gamepad for different video games.
Elsewhere, I began utilizing one of many Halo 5 presets to make commanding Team Osiris a lot simpler, as instantly I’m not having to succeed in down for the D-Pad anymore, however toggling instructions utilizing the again paddles.
If you’re a preventing sport addict, then the faceted D-Pad may also be an enormous success. Although I’m utilizing it as a result of I favor the texture of it beneath the thumb and the final look, I’m assured that it makes it quite a bit simpler to drag combos in titles like Mortal Kombat X and co.Related: Xbox One suggestions, tips and secret options
Should I purchase the Xbox One Elite Controller?
Although I’m completely hooked on the Xbox One Elite Controller now I’ve used it – God forbid I’m compelled to return to the common one at this stage – my advice comes with some caveats.
If you’re seeking to spend £130 on a controller, it’s essential to severely take into consideration how a lot you play in your Xbox One and what video games you’re enjoying as a result of it’s round £90 greater than an everyday controller.
However, to your £130 funding you’ll get the final word customisable controller that can little doubt final your complete lifespan of your console – and presumably longer.
Verdict
The Xbox One Elite Controller actually is the one controller to rule all of them, with its mature aesthetics, robust customisation choices and sturdiness. You may simply wish to look ahead to a worth drop before you purchase.